Council warns tenants of costly ‘no win, no fee’ repair claims

A city council’s tenants are being urged to report their repair issues directly to the council, following a rise in ‘no win, no fee’ legal firms targeting residents.

A recent court case saw a tenant ordered to pay £7,964 in costs after their disrepair claim against the council was dismissed.

This comes as the council faces increasing numbers of such claims, some of which have resulted in other tenants also owing thousands in court fees.

‘Strive to get repairs done quickly’

City of York Council’s executive member for housing, Coun Michael Pavlovic, said: “We strive to get repairs done quickly and efficiently and 86% of them are completed on a first visit.

“Our tenants are always invited to talk to officers about any repairs needed, or any delay or dissatisfaction with them.

“We are committed to making good any repairs for which we are responsible, and our ongoing and significant housing repair programme is upgrading and modernising homes.”

He added: “These claims against the council mean that everyone loses – except for these legal firms – and have left tenants owing £1,000s in court costs.

“The time and money spent by the council to defend these claims could be better invested in tenants’ homes.”

Pursue compensation from the council

The council says that unsolicited individuals, posing as surveyors, have been approaching residents, encouraging them to pursue compensation from the council for alleged repair failures.

These individuals often sell tenant information to law firms.

The council has also received reports of these surveyors falsely claiming an affiliation with the council.

Tenants are being advised to contact their housing management officer with any repair concerns and to report any suspicious activity to the police.